Rabies is a deadly viral disease caused by the rabies virus. And yes, cats can get rabies, just like dogs and other mammals. It attacks the central nervous system of both humans and animals, often leading to fatal consequences if left untreated. 

The virus spreads primarily through the saliva of infected animals, usually via bites or open wounds. While rabies affects both wild and domestic animals, understanding how rabies in cats develops and how to prevent it can make all the difference.

Do Cats Have Rabies

Cats can have rabies just like any other mammal. They can contract the viral disease by getting bitten by infected animals. Dogs, foxes, and raccoons are common carriers of rabies. However, through the help of vaccinations and early detection, the incidence rate of rabies in cats is relatively low. 

However, the risk remains, which is why keeping your cat safe indoors is a highly effective way to prevent deadly diseases.

How Do Cats Have Rabies

Cats can get rabies when they get bitten by animals that have rabies. The virus is active in the infected animal’s saliva, and when it bites your cat, it can easily enter its body. An infected animal’s saliva can also cause rabies when it comes into contact with broken skin, open wounds, and mucous membranes. 

Once your cat gets infected, the virus starts to enter and travel through the nerves of its brain, causing substantial damage to the central nervous system before spreading to the other parts of your cat’s body.

Prevalence of Rabies in Cats in the UAE

While rabies in cats is a global concern, the prevalence varies significantly by region. In the United Arab Emirates, reported cases of rabies in domestic cats are rare, largely due to strict pet import laws, widespread vaccination campaigns, and effective municipal control over stray animal populations.

However, the risk is not zero. Occasional outbreaks involving stray animals, especially unvaccinated cats and dogs, have prompted local authorities to issue reminders about the importance of keeping pets vaccinated. The UAE continues to work towards full compliance with the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) rabies elimination guidelines.

As a responsible pet owner in the UAE, it's essential to stay informed and ensure your cat’s rabies vaccination is always up to date, especially if they go outdoors or come into contact with other animals.

Symptoms of Rabies in Cats

After a cat is exposed to the rabies virus, there is an incubation period. It’s the time before symptoms begin to show. For rabies in cats, this period typically lasts 3 to 8 weeks, but in rare cases, symptoms may appear as early as 10 days or take as long as a year to develop.

Once the virus reaches the nervous system, symptoms begin to manifest and escalate rapidly. Early warning signs of rabies in cats include sudden changes in behavior, increased aggression, excessive drooling or foaming at the mouth, loss of appetite, unusual irritability, and loss of muscle coordination. 

Some cats may also develop a fever, lethargy, anorexia, ataxia (unsteady movements), muscle twitching, sensitivity to light or sound, seizures, and, in rare cases, hydrophobia (a fear of water).

These signs mark the beginning of the infection's progression. Without immediate intervention, rabies will advance through three distinct stages, each with severe effects on your cat’s brain and body.

1. Prodromal Stage

This is the initial stage of a rabies infection, and it typically lasts for approximately 1 to 3 days. The prodromal stage is characterized by cats exhibiting small and subtle changes in their behavior and personality. Some noticeable changes include cats becoming more nervous, withdrawn, and agitated, depending on your cat’s normal behavior.

The changes usually consist of a contradiction to your cat’s usual self. For example, if it is usually introverted, it becomes aggressive and a bit wild when infected with rabies.

There may also be other changes in your cat, such as a loss of appetite, increased irritability to simple things, and fever. Your cat may also frequently lick the area of the bite, and this is where you can determine if your cat has rabies.

2. Furious Stage

The second stage is considered the climax of the entire chain of symptoms. This stage typically lasts 1 to 7 days. The main takeaway from this stage is that your cat may manifest extreme and clear changes in its behavior. The furious stage is also known as the “mad dog” stage due to the extreme aggression cats possess when infected.

Cats in the second stage become recognizably more aggressive and irritable. Their now vicious self is accompanied by an increased tendency to drool, which endangers humans and other animals present. They have difficulty controlling their actions and struggle with swallowing.

The aggression becomes so extreme that the cat immediately initiates fights just from the mere presence of a small sound. Cats dealing with the second stage can attack viciously, just like a mad dog. Extreme measures and constant checkups are required to keep your cat in check to prevent any further damage to you and others.

3. Paralytic Stage

In the final stage of the symptoms, which generally lasts 2 to 4 days, the cat will get progressively weaker until it gets paralyzed. At this time, the virus has successfully altered the brain and is continuing to spread across different parts of the cat’s body.

Paralysis is often observable in areas such as the throat and jaw muscles, thus making it even more difficult for cats to swallow.

Cats in this stage experience a significant loss of muscle control, which is evident in the cat's weakness and inability to move freely. As more of the cat’s body becomes paralyzed, more bodily functions like breathing are halted until it eventually dies. In most cases, death occurs within 7 to 10 days after the onset of symptoms.